Dunsdon ticks off another 'Monument' with Amateur Derby win British-based rider David Dunsdon and his Willie Mullins-trained Sirius (9/2) completed a notable Irish-double in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Amateur Riders Derby at the Curragh today, and later described the course as being a ‘Mecca’. Dunsdon steered Sirius to a rare 50/1 win for champion jumps trainer Mullins in the prestigious Connaught Hotel Amateur Race at the 2024 Galway festival, and today completed Ireland’s Flat feature-races double for amateur jockeys. Dunsdon, chair of his family’s property business Coldunell Ltd, had held up Sirius in last position when scoring at Galway and today was closer in rear-division before the smooth-traveller led a furlong out to easily beat Smooth Tom . Enthusiastic Dunsdon reported “that’s my first ride at the Curragh and it is a Mecca, isn’t it. It is one of the courses you grow up watching and I remember watching Cash (Asmussen) win the Derby on Montjeu. “In cycling their ‘Monuments’ are our Classic races and I feel, as amateur jockeys riding on the Flat, that Galway’s Connaught Hotel Race, today’s race, Epsom’s Amateur Derby, a race on Prix du Jockey Club Day in Longchamp and another race at Deauville are our ‘Monuments’. “When I made a comeback a few years ago, I wrote down that list as bucket-list races I wanted to win, so I’m pretty lucky. What Willie has done with this mare is phenomenal, with her improvement. I’m incredibly fortunate and this is a wonderful way to end the season.” Mullins mentioned “I’m delighted and it’s fantastic for David Dunsdon. “She did it nicely over that trip. I was quite pleased considering she won over two miles at Galway last year, so it was nice to be able to come back in trip. David had picked out this race about six months ago to aim for, so it was nice to be able to do this and he gave her a very well judged ride. “I’ll have to wait and hear what our next plan is!” Quotes from Gary Carson
